Life Legacy
 "Jack",
age 91, of Farmington, founder of Farmington's John Cowley and Sons
Irish Pub, died at home Friday morning, February 8th.
John was born September 3, 1921, in
Ireland, the son of Patrick and Mary (Cray) Cowley. He married Mary
Bridgett "Marie" (Hart) on August 13, 1951, in the Catholic church
in Graiguecullen, Ireland.
John, fondly known
as "Jack", was one of the greats in Gaelic football in the 1940's.
Both John and Marie came from families steeped in Graiguecullen
stock and both families have great football traditions. The year was
1946 and young Jack was training for a final tournament with
neighboring Kildare, when he met Marie, who had been born in America
and was in Ireland on holiday. Marie was due to return to the US in
a short time, and for Jack, it was either spend time with her, or
with football. Love won out and he followed his sweetheart across
the world.
After 50 happy years together in different
parts of the United States and Canada, celebrating their anniversary
back in Ireland, John was quoted in an Irish newspaper saying that
he was still the luckiest man in the world.
There are few that would recall the
football feats of Jack Cowley, all six foot four of him, up to 70
years ago. But those who do remember, speak of his name with pride.
He had followed football ever since and met many of the renowned
players and officials over the years.
 In
1972, John and Marie decided to open Cowley's Old Village Inn. This
traditional neighborhood watering hole became a mainstay for many of
the residents in Farmington. As the business became a cornerstone in
the community, the family grew. Soon after the turn of the
millennium, plans were underway to expand the business.
Since 1972, the Cowley family has been
offering guests Irish hospitality, great food, and some of the
area's best entertainment. St. Patrick's Day is something special
each year with crowds of Irish, and others proclaiming to be Irish,
converging on Cowley's to "drown the shamrock". Here's to you, John,
may you rest in peace.
John is survived
by his beloved wife of 61 years, Marie; three devoted sons, Gregory
(Maureen), Michael and Patrick; a brother, Steven (Freida); two
sisters, Elizabeth (John) O'Rourke and Claire Haughney; and 8
cherished grandchildren, Sean (Michele), Timothy (Erin), Brendan
(Amy), Errin, Ryan, Shana, Chelsey, and Rory.
The Cowley's will receive guests at the
funeral home on Sunday from 2-6 pm, and Monday from 2-8 pm.
The rosary will be prayed Monday evening
at 7 pm.
John's funeral mass will be celebrated
Tuesday, February 12th, 10:00 am (in state 9:30 am) at Our Lady of
Sorrows Catholic Church, 23615 Power Rd., Farmington.
Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery,
Southfield, will follow mass.
Memorial gifts are
suggested to the Irish Pallottine Fathers.
Thank you for keeping the Cowley family in
your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Source: http://heeney-sundquist.com/
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